Great Escape Restaurant

Downtown Salem

In a Nutshell

Former Salem jail now houses restaurant with prison theme and generous portions of pasta, seafood, and steak for lunch or dinner

The Fine Print

Promotional value expires Jul 10, 2013. Amount paid never expires.Limit 1 per person, may buy 2 additional as gifts. Limit 1 per table. Not valid for the purchase of alcohol. Dine-in only. Not valid 2/14, 3/17, 3/31, 5/12, 6/16, 7/4. Must use promotional value in 1 visit.Merchant is solely responsible to purchasers for the care and quality of the advertised goods and services.

Great Escape Restaurant

Restaurants let you sit back while someone else cooks the food, washes the dishes, and prints the receipt that proves dinner wasn’t a dream. Keep it real with this Groupon.

$20 for $40 Worth of New American Cuisine

The dinner menu includes bruschetta ($11), lobster and shrimp pomodoro ($23), lemon chicken with roasted potatoes ($22), and the Fisherman risotto with scallops, shrimp, arugula, and parmesan ($24). For lunch, guests can enjoy a buffalo-chicken sandwich ($9) or pasta and salads.

Great Escape Restaurant

The Salem jail, built in 1813, was the home of countless criminals for more than a century; today, it's the home of The Great Escape Restaurant. "Gone are the days of just bread and water…now the meals here are big portions of pasta, seafood, and steak," according to a video by Phantom Gourmet. While previously alcohol was only available when it was smuggled in, today the Great Escape's bartenders mix up prison-themed cocktails like the Orange Jumpsuit and The Commuted Sentence. In addition, complimentary valet service seamlessly escorts guests to the dinner table.

Under high ceilings, black chandeliers illuminate a bar made from recycled cell doors, the jail's original thick granite floor, and cell bars that surround black leather booths. Exposed brick walls are decorated with pop art with cheeky sayings such as "If you can't do the time don't do the crime," though today's guests are more focused on fried calamari than rehabilitation.

Customer Reviews

The veal in the handcuffs was a little tough/chewy. I still enjoyed it immensely though. We also enjoyed great service with Amanda. We will definitely be back!

Karen W. ·
August 8, 2013

Perfect double date night with friends. Easy to make a reservation with your very friendly staff, waiter was great, food was delicious. Worth the hour drive to get there and we will be back to try more dishes on the menu!